"VONNEGUT BUSY" acts as a stylistic sample dish for what one can expect from Sage Francis on Copper Gone, transitioning seamlessly from socio-economic issues to personal politics, all while being punctuated by the project's overall mission statement: "When it seems like you're going through hell...keep going." The reference to Kurt Vonnegut in the title is accompanied by a quote from the satirical writer in one of the song's 3 sub-choruses: "Of all the words of mice and men, the saddest are, 'it might have been.'"

As fans and media may remember, Francis declared a sudden retirement from touring at the end of his "Li(f)e on the Road" world excursion in 2010. Many people misinterpreted this as a resignation from music altogether as his three album deal with Epitaph Records came to its conclusion. "It sort of offends my sensibilities to hear that some people thought I gave up music," Francis remarks. "I've been writing songs since I was 8 years old. Performing on stage since 12. Winning over crowds and losing partners in the process. As far as creative energy goes, my entire adult life and the bulk of my childhood has been dedicated to this craft. I don't even think I could stop that train if I wanted to."

In reality, Francis removed himself from the non-stop grind of the tour circuit in hopes of developing a healthier domestic situation. He did not achieve this goal, as numerous songs on Copper Gone clearly illustrate (some more overtly than others.) Over the course of the next few years, in the wake of some significant personal losses, Francis succumbed to his more hermit-like tendencies. He remained tucked away in the woods on the outskirts of Rhode Island, running Strange Famous Records remotely, all while continuing to write/record music in the isolation of his studio.

"No matter how much time I spend by myself, I'm constantly aware of how I need to keep this ship afloat. If not for me, then for the others who have jumped on board with me. That's not the main motivation for what I do, but it's probably good to feel pressured into staying active outside of my bubble. I'm stressed, overworked, and exhausted regardless of my situation, so I might as well step into the fire rather than just watch the world burn around me. At this point, that sounds a lot better to me than spending the rest of my life as a recluse, wondering what might've been."

This song is amazing! I just got tickets to the Mohawk show in Austin. I can't wait to hear the rest of the album. Congrats, Sage "Keep going!"

Tue Apr 01, 2014 6:43 pm

Plum Puddin'

Joined: 26 May 2008
Posts: 1849
Location: Earf.

Tue Apr 01, 2014 7:37 pm

remind

Joined: 22 Jun 2008
Posts: 2207
Location: NJ

This has significantly increased my excitement for Copper Gone. Not that I wasn't very excited to begin with! Just two more months, mannnnn.

Tue Apr 01, 2014 8:00 pm

NeuroA champion of Kurtis SP

Joined: 19 Jul 2002
Posts: 7909

been listening to this track off and on all day and im really feeling it

i think im going relate and get into this album more than most if the whole album has this sorta vibe

and the beat, fucking thank you for going back to this style

Sage ,first official album since personal journals on your own label, how does it feel (besides the anxiety), does it feel like a full circle type deal at all? this has got to be good when its all said and done

Tue Apr 01, 2014 9:38 pm

NeuroA champion of Kurtis SP

Joined: 19 Jul 2002
Posts: 7909

whoah whoah whoah

the beat is by Prolyphic?!!?!?

this is fire

tell me more about prolyphic beats

Tue Apr 01, 2014 10:19 pm

Marcus Forealius

Joined: 31 Jan 2005
Posts: 555

What an awesome song to debut. Loving everything about it.

I also didn't initially realize the music was by Prolyphic on this one. Always liked the tone of his beats from way back to 'An Alarm Clock Set for 9:01'.

Wed Apr 02, 2014 5:35 am

Brynjar

Joined: 12 Dec 2006
Posts: 1476
Location: Rivertown

I really like this song, kinda feels like a song of A Healthy Distrust. Maybe that's a terrible thing to say about a song on a new album?

Wed Apr 02, 2014 3:49 pm

Limbs

Joined: 04 Feb 2011
Posts: 1045

I appreciate you releasing your new album on my bday. I told you you didn't have to!

Wed Apr 02, 2014 4:28 pm

mancabbage

Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 9285
Location: london

sounds fresh, been a while since my ears got tickled like this. Beat is fire, love the horns. Gonna pre order on scroobius pips site soon as poss

Wed Apr 02, 2014 5:25 pm

xGasPricesx

Joined: 23 May 2008
Posts: 1612

Not sure if it's just me, but whenever I try to share the SoundCloud link on FB, the embedded link is just an error message saying that the page can't be found. I've tried it like 10 different times, and it's still not working. Anyone else have this problem?

Wed Apr 02, 2014 9:57 pm

Sage FrancisSelf Fighteous

Joined: 30 Jun 2002
Posts: 21737

xGasPricesx wrote: Not sure if it's just me, but whenever I try to share the SoundCloud link on FB, the embedded link is just an error message saying that the page can't be found. I've tried it like 10 different times, and it's still not working. Anyone else have this problem?